When is a second draw required on a patient?

The correct answer is that a second draw is required when the first draw is contaminated. In phlebotomy, maintaining sample integrity is paramount, as contamination can significantly affect test results. If a blood draw is contaminated, it can introduce substances or interfere with the analysis, leading to inaccurate results. This may necessitate a repeat draw to ensure that the sample is pure and reliable for testing.

Successful draws typically do not require a second sample unless specific circumstances warrant it, such as when additional tests are ordered that require different specimen types or additive content. Timing or the patient's discomfort, such as feeling faint, do not usually dictate the need for a repeat draw; instead, they focus more on the patient’s immediate condition rather than the integrity of the blood sample. Therefore, the requirement for a second draw primarily hinges on the quality and integrity of the first sample collected.